Writer pens mischievous novel about ageing 'outrageously'

NINE years of working in aged care inspires a Warwick writer to create her first solo book.

AGEING OUTRAGEOUSLY: Warwick writer, Fleur Lind tells the story of seniors getting up to mischief in her latest novel, Local Time. Picture: Nicole Zurcas

ACCEPTING a challenge from her children five years ago, Fleur Lind picked up a pen and hasn't stopped writing.

The New Zealand native picked up her life and moved to Warwick three years ago while in the middle of composing her third novel.

Local Time may be the final of a trilogy, but it was the first novel single-handedly written by Mrs Lind.

"My first two novels I had a co-author, but this book is all me," she said.

"I've never felt more excited and proud."

Working in aged care for nine years gave Mrs Lind the inspiration she needed for this mischievous read.

"I've listened to a lot of stories from residents which were pure gold," Mrs Lind said.

"This is a book about ageing outrageously and disgracefully.

"Seniors are the heroes and the characters, always causing trouble and chaos where they go."

As a community care worker Mrs Lind assists residents with everyday tasks that are now challenging.

"It could be as simple as going for walks or taking someone to the shops, all the type of things we take for granted," she said.

Before making the jump to carer, she worked in a high-power sales job in South Canterbury, New Zealand.

"I learnt a lot of tenacity from that job and how to stick with it," Mrs Lind said.

"Before that I was working at fitness facilities.

"Both occupations have given me great tools for my journey in life."

It was her love of knitting and crochet that introduced Mrs Lind to our town.

"I found the Jumpers and Jazz festival online and told my husband (Kevin) we had to go," she said.

"I made my first tree jumper while still living in New Zealand.

"We packed a suitcase full of yarn and decorations."

When it was time for a change, Warwick was the couple's first choice.

At the start of the year, Mrs Lind joined the Rose City Writers and has been blown away by the creativity.

"They are a great group of writers who have helped inspire me," she said.

"I've really learnt so much about compositions and researching that really helped with my novel."

For a long time, Mrs Lind said she was going to write a book and she's thankful for the push her children gave her.

"They told me to hurry up and do it already so I did," she said.

"I really launched into it by the seat of my pants."

Whether it's knitting, having a coffee or at work, inspiration pops into Mrs Lind's head at any moment.

"Sometimes I won't think about a moment until weeks later then it sticks with me and I have to write about it," she said.

"My husband is really good for ideas, he will always tell me things he thinks I should write about."

Working on her novel for three years, Local Time was published in July.

The book is set in a fictitious, fancy rest home and the drama it creates.

Find it at Hynes Newsagency Warwick, Warwick Library and amazon.com.

Originally published as Writer pens mischievous novel about ageing 'outrageously'